DUBAI // A carpenter accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl only picked the child up and carried her away from sharp tools to protect her from any harm. The 31-year-old Bangladeshi told the Dubai Criminal Court the youngster was standing near workers at Rashid Hospital employees’ accommodation where some maintenance work was taking place. “There […]

DUBAI // A carpenter accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl only picked the child up and carried her away from sharp tools to protect her from any harm.

The 31-year-old Bangladeshi told the Dubai Criminal Court the youngster was standing near workers at Rashid Hospital employees’ accommodation where some maintenance work was taking place.

“There were tools and nails around her so I carried her away from the sharp items to prevent any harm from happening to her,” he said.

Prosecutors said on the morning of April 7, the Jordanian girl left her home in Al Rafaa to play when the defendant called for her over to him, hugged her and touched her inappropriately.

“She called me crying and told me what happened and said that she screamed at him and ran away,” said the girl’s mother who rushed home. Her daughter then pointed out the defendant.

The 43-year-old woman told investigators she tried to speak to him but couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“My daughter and I headed home where she showed me how he touched her and said he tried to pull her behind the villa but she resisted and escaped his grip,” said the woman, who informed her husband after calling police.

The carpenter was arrested the following day. According to court records, the girl identified him three times.

In court, he denied a sexual assault charge. A verdict is expected on August 31.